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Georgetown (Guyana): Difference between revisions
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'''OVERVIEW''' | '''OVERVIEW''' | ||
Although technically in South America, Guyana identifies as a Caribbean country in terms of its culture and history. It is also an incredibly diverse state with citizens of various faiths and backgrounds, including Christian, Muslim and Hindu. Generally speaking, Guyana can be considered a conservative society. Abortion was illegal until 1995, homosexuality is still illegal, and there are no protections against discrimination for LGBTQ people in the country, as of 2018. However, this is not to say that the country provides no options regarding health care. In fact, you can obtain condoms and birth control pills without a prescription. While the selection of birth control pill options may be limited at pharmacies, you can find international brands, such as Microgynon, Diane 35 and Yaz. You can also find emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) at pharmacies, particularly i-Pill. There are no travel or residency restrictions for people living with HIV, and there are many NGOs in the country that focus on HIV prevention, treatment and care. The country has a nationwide HPV vaccination program, but we could find no evidence of PrEP programs in the country. According to the National Insurance Act, women are entitled to thirteen weeks of maternity leave. Furthermore, since 1995, abortion has been legally available upon request, and it can be performed in public hospitals. | |||
==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ||
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* In Guyana, you can get contraceptives at pharmacies, health centers or clinics, like the [http://grpa.org.gy/ Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association] (call the clinic: 225-0739 Hotline: 225-6493). | * In Guyana, you can get contraceptives at pharmacies, health centers or clinics, like the [http://grpa.org.gy/ Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association] (call the clinic: 225-0739 Hotline: 225-6493). | ||
* You can find '''condoms''' in pharmacies, supermarkets, gas stations, venues for condom-marketing distribution programs or even, in at least one, reported case, a beauty salon (Michelle's Beauty Salon).<ref>[https://www.charities.org/news/why-beauty-salon-guyana-excellent-place-sex-education Why a Beauty Salon in Guyana is an Excellent Place for Sex Education]</ref> While condoms are generally accessible in central urban areas, they can be more difficult for people to access | * You can find '''condoms''' in pharmacies, supermarkets, gas stations, venues for condom-marketing distribution programs or even, in at least one, reported case, a beauty salon (Michelle's Beauty Salon).<ref>[https://www.charities.org/news/why-beauty-salon-guyana-excellent-place-sex-education Why a Beauty Salon in Guyana is an Excellent Place for Sex Education]</ref> While condoms are generally accessible in central urban areas, they can be more difficult for people to access in more remote areas. For this reason, a condom marketing and distribution program was set up, which distributed condoms from larger retailers to smaller retail outlets in areas where condoms aren't sold. The condom distribution program has now ended, small retailers have reportedly continued to sell condoms through larger channels that were set up by the initiative.<ref>[https://www.msh.org/news-events/stories/improved-supply-chain-and-retailers%E2%80%99-commitment-expands-condom-access-in-guyana IMPROVED SUPPLY CHAIN AND RETAILERS’ COMMITMENT EXPANDS CONDOM ACCESS IN GUYANA]</ref> | ||
* You can find '''oral contraceptives (birth control pills)''' in Guyana, and you'll typically don't need a prescription to purchase them. However, some pharmacies may prefer if you have a consultation with a gynecologist or physician before going to the pharmacy. Some of the birth control pill brands that you can expect to find in Guyana are Diane 35, Microgynon and Yaz.<ref>[Conversations with multiple pharmacists in Georgetown, April 2018]</ref> | * You can find '''oral contraceptives (birth control pills)''' in Guyana, and you'll typically don't need a prescription to purchase them. However, some pharmacies may prefer if you have a consultation with a gynecologist or physician before going to the pharmacy. Some of the birth control pill brands that you can expect to find in Guyana are Diane 35, Microgynon and Yaz.<ref>[Conversations with multiple pharmacists in Georgetown, April 2018]</ref> | ||
* You can find '''contraceptive implants''' in Guyana. At [http://grpa.org.gy/ Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association], you can find the Jadelle implant. | * You can find '''contraceptive implants''' in Guyana. At [http://grpa.org.gy/ Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association], you can find the Jadelle implant. | ||
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===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
* | * We talked to two pharmacies in Georgetown (April 2018) and here are the price ranges we were quoted for birth control pills: Microgynon - $500 to $875 Guyanese Dollar (GYD); Diane 35 - $2995 to $3188 Guyanese Dollar (GYD); Yaz - $2595 to $3675 Guyanese Dollar (GYD).<ref>[Conversations with multiple pharmacists in Georgetown, April 2018]</ref> | ||
==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== | ==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Guyana, you can purchase emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) | In Guyana, you can purchase emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) at pharmacies. However, we have received conflicting information regarding whether a prescription is needed. According to some sources (such as the International Consortium for Emergency Contraception), no prescription is needed.<ref>[http://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/guyana/ EC Status and Availability: Guyana]</ref> Yet, when we communicated directly with a pharmacy in Georgetown, they stated that a prescription was necessary to purchase emergency contraceptive pills. They said that a prescription can be obtained from a doctor, gynecologist, clinic or hospital. This leads us to believe that there is either a discrepancy in the official legal status of ECPs and actual practice of dispensation, or perhaps different pharmacies have different policies. If you have more information on this subject, or if you can clarify whether ECPs are available over-the-counter in Guyana, please update this section. | ||
In Guyana, the usage of emergency contraceptive pills is not very common. According to 2009 data, only 0.9% of Guyanese women had ever used ECPs, and 29.7% of Guyanese women had knowledge of ECPs.<ref>[http://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/guyana/ EC Status and Availability: Guyana]</ref> | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* In Guyana, you can obtain emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) | * In Guyana, you can obtain emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) at pharmacies, IPPF-affiliated programs and various clinics in Guyana. For example, you should be able to find them at Medicine Express (a pharmacy) on Camp Street. You may need a prescription, but some venues may provide ECPs without a prescription. Some of the pill brands you can expect to find are i-Pill, which is produced by Cipla, an Indian pharmaceutical company, and Postinor 2, which is produced by Gedeon Richter, a Hungarian pharmaceutical company.<ref>[http://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/guyana/ EC Status and Availability: Guyana]</ref> | ||
* If you cannot access dedicated emergency contraceptive pills, you can use regular birth control pills as replacement ECPs. If you do this, you should remember that, in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used. To do this, you can take Nordiol or Ovral (for these pills, take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later). As another option, you can take Lo-Femenal, Microgynon or Nordette (for these pills, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later).<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/ Princeton EC Website]</ref> | * If you cannot access dedicated emergency contraceptive pills, you can use regular birth control pills as replacement ECPs. If you do this, you should remember that, in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used. To do this, you can take Nordiol or Ovral (for these pills, take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later). As another option, you can take Lo-Femenal, Microgynon or Nordette (for these pills, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later).<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/ Princeton EC Website]</ref> | ||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
* | * When we talked to a pharmacy in Guyana, they told us that they sold i-Pill for $660 GYD (April 2018).<ref>[Conversations with pharmacy in Georgetown, April 2018]</ref> | ||
==Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)== | ==Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)== | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH): This is the country's largest public hospital. They provide abortion services. Phone: +592 227 8241 | |||
* Suddie Hospital: This public hospital provides abortions. Phone: +592 774-4227 | |||
* New Amsterdam Hospital: This public hospital provides abortions. | |||
* Mahdia District Hospital: This public hospital probably provides abortions. | |||
* Mabaruma District Hospital: This public hospital probably provides abortions. | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In 1996, the Domestic Violence Act was passed, which provides "protection in cases involving domestic violence by the granting of a protection order, to provide the police with powers of arrest where a domestic violence offence occurs and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto."<ref>[http://mola.gov.gy/information/laws-of-guyana/488-chapter-1109-domestic-violence Ministry of Legal Affairs: Chapter 11:09 - Domestic Violence]</ref> | |||
Homosexuality is illegal in Guyana<ref>[http://www.equaldex.com/region/guyana LGBT Rights in Guyana]</ref>, though there is a movement to legalize it. | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* [http://www.hands.org.gy/ Help & Shelter]: "Help & Shelter was founded in 1995 to work against all types of violence, especially domestic and sexual violence and child abuse.We have become a leader in the fight against violence in Guyana and in the provision of services to victims/survivors." Address: Homestretch Avenue, Durban Park, Georgetown, Guyana. Tel (592) - 225-4731, 227-8353. Hours: Mondays to Fridays, 08:30am to 4:00pm. Email: hands@networksgy.com | |||
* [http://www.sasod.org.gy/ SASOD Guyana - Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination]: "SASOD is committed to ending all forms of homophobia in Guyana, including transphobia, biphobia and lesbophibia." | |||
* [https://www.aidsmap.com/org/10196/page/1411896/ Guyana Rainbow Foundation (GuyBow]: The services they provide include telephone and in-person counseling, support group sessions, HIV prevention, education and advocacy. Phone: +592 225 2425. Email: guybowdiverse@yahoo.com | |||
* Guyana Inter-agency Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call (+592) 223-0001, 223-0009, 600-7896, 623-4444. Email: guyagency@yahoo.com. Twitter: guyanaagency. WhatsApp: +592-600-7896, 592- 623-4444. Facebook: Guyana Interagency Suicide Prevention Help Line | |||
* [http://www.caribvoice.org/ Caribbean Voice]: "The Caribbean Voice is a New York based NGO that has been involved in social activism since its launch in 1998. Currently it is focusing on suicide prevention and related issues in Guyana and the Diaspora and is working in collaboration with partners – other NGOs, businesses, socially conscious individuals, the media and various ministries in Guyana. Contact us at 621-6111 or 223-2637 or via email at bibiahamad1@hotmail.com or caribvoice@aol.com." | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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==List of Additional Resources== | ==List of Additional Resources== | ||
* Click [http://www.equaldex.com/region/guyana here] to learn about LGBTQ rights and laws in Guyana, | * Click [http://www.equaldex.com/region/guyana here] to learn about LGBTQ rights and laws in Guyana, click [https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/03/26/transgender-activists-in-guyana-are-fighting-against-archaic-laws/ here] to learn about the struggles faced by transgender activists in Guyana, and click [https://www.globalgayz.com/gay-life-in-guyana-south-america/ here] to learn about the complex social and historical picture of LGBTQ life in Guyana. It is important to note that, as of May 2018, homosexuality is illegal in Guyana and the punishment for homosexuality is life in prison. There are no legal protections against LGBTQ-related discrimination. It is also illegal to change gender or to be a "cross-dresser," thereby rendering transgender identity to be illegal as well. | ||
* [https://www.facebook.com/wgec.gy/ Women and Gender Equality Commission - Guyana]: " | * [https://www.facebook.com/wgec.gy/ Women and Gender Equality Commission - Guyana]: The goal of this organization is to "promote national recognition and acceptance that women’s rights are human rights, respect for gender equality and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality." Email: wgec.gy@gmail.com. Call +592 231 5276. | ||
* [https://www.facebook.com/pg/GuyanaWomenMinersOrganisation/about/ Guyana Women Miner's Association]: "GWMO is dedicated to improving the conditions of women in the mining industry and to expanding their opportunities, and to ensuring that benefits that accrue from the industry are used in ways that are beneficial to both women and the society as a whole." Email: guyanawomenminers@yahoo.com. Phone: +592 223 6978. | * [https://www.facebook.com/pg/GuyanaWomenMinersOrganisation/about/ Guyana Women Miner's Association]: "GWMO is dedicated to improving the conditions of women in the mining industry and to expanding their opportunities, and to ensuring that benefits that accrue from the industry are used in ways that are beneficial to both women and the society as a whole." Email: guyanawomenminers@yahoo.com. Phone: +592 223 6978. | ||
* [https://www.facebook.com/pg/RedThreadWomenGuyana/ Red Thread Women Guyana]: "Red Thread's goal is to organize with women, beginning with grassroots women, to cross divides and transform our conditions. We provide services to women and children exploited in unequal power relations and simultaneously work to change those relations." Call (592) 227-7010; (592) 223-6254. Email: redthreadguyana@gmail.com | * [https://www.facebook.com/pg/RedThreadWomenGuyana/ Red Thread Women Guyana]: "Red Thread's goal is to organize with women, beginning with grassroots women, to cross divides and transform our conditions. We provide services to women and children exploited in unequal power relations and simultaneously work to change those relations." Call (592) 227-7010; (592) 223-6254. Email: redthreadguyana@gmail.com | ||
* [http://www.guyanaassociationofwomenlawyersonline.org/ Guyana Association of Women Lawyers]: "The GAWL was founded in April, 1987 with the primary aim of giving legal advice and assistance to women in the society. It was founded mainly through the efforts and dynamism of the Hon. Justice Desiree Bernard, now a Justice of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Guyana’s highest Court of Appeal." Address: 39 Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown, Guyana. Phone: +592 225 8102. Email: contact@gawl.inc@gmail.com | * [http://www.guyanaassociationofwomenlawyersonline.org/ Guyana Association of Women Lawyers]: "The GAWL was founded in April, 1987 with the primary aim of giving legal advice and assistance to women in the society. It was founded mainly through the efforts and dynamism of the Hon. Justice Desiree Bernard, now a Justice of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Guyana’s highest Court of Appeal." Address: 39 Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown, Guyana. Phone: +592 225 8102. Email: contact@gawl.inc@gmail.com | ||
* [http://www.devnet.org.gy/guyanagateway/node/89 Pomona Women and Youth Reaching Out]: "To better the lives of women and youths in Region 2 and the country as a whole by supporting them and providing them with opportunities for personal development." Address, telephone and email Lot 23 Pomona Housing Scheme. Cell: 618-0886. | * [http://www.devnet.org.gy/guyanagateway/node/89 Pomona Women and Youth Reaching Out]: "To better the lives of women and youths in Region 2 and the country as a whole by supporting them and providing them with opportunities for personal development." Address, telephone and email Lot 23 Pomona Housing Scheme. Cell: 618-0886. | ||
* Rural Women's Network: "To promote the sustainable development of groups of rural women and their communities." Address, telephone and email: ruralwomen@yahoo.com, 228-6099, 226,8835 | * [https://guyanesegirlsrock.org/ Guyanese Girls Rock]: This US-based nonprofit focuses on Guyanese women, and it may also do collaborative work with women in Guyana. "Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation that is dedicated empowering young women to create their own paths to success. At GGRF we believe in cultivating an environment where girls feel encouraged and supported to make a positive contribution in the world. We provide our participants with leadership training, scholarships and exposure to exceptional female role models." Address: Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation, St. Albans, New York 11412. Tel: 646-285-6441 | ||
* Sunflower Striving Women's Organization: "To provide opportunities for training individual in order to provide self- development literacy and a social community." Tel. 617-3621. | * [http://www.devnet.org.gy/guyanagateway/?q=node/95 Rural Women's Network]: "To promote the sustainable development of groups of rural women and their communities." Address, telephone and email: ruralwomen@yahoo.com, 228-6099, 226,8835 | ||
* Sunshine Women and Youth Group | * [http://www.devnet.org.gy/guyanagateway/node/101 Sunflower Striving Women's Organization]: "To provide opportunities for training individual in order to provide self- development literacy and a social community." Contact Person: Catherine Ville, Mahaicony, ECD. Tel. 617-3621. | ||
* Toevlught Patentia Women's Upliftment Group: "To encourage women to participate in meaningful activities that will help them to enjoy a better quality of life" Address: Patentia West, West Bank Demerara. Tel. 267-2693. | * [http://www.devnet.org.gy/guyanagateway/node/101 Sunshine Women and Youth Group]: "Sunshine women and youth group collaborates with parents and teachers to enhance the lives of women and youth in region three (3) to achieve their greatest potential and respect as full participants through skill development programmes, peer counselling, health and public awareness efforts." 176, Ocean View Uitvlugt West Coast Demerara, Phone: 629-8007. | ||
* | * [http://www.devnet.org.gy/guyanagateway/node/103 Toevlught Patentia Women's Upliftment Group]: "To encourage women to participate in meaningful activities that will help them to enjoy a better quality of life" Address: Patentia West, West Bank Demerara. Tel. 267-2693. | ||
* Vilvoorde Women's Group: "Reduce poverty, working with literacy to create a better environment. Assist people to be self-sufficient and socially interactive in their communities." Phone: 774-5362. | |||
* Women Across Differences (WAD): "WAD is a national network of women and women organisations committed to individual and social transformation in Guyana." Address: 216 Almond Street, Queenstown, Georgetown. Phone: 592-227-3974. Email: wad@solutions2000.ne | * Women Across Differences (WAD): "WAD is a national network of women and women organisations committed to individual and social transformation in Guyana." Address: 216 Almond Street, Queenstown, Georgetown. Phone: 592-227-3974. Email: wad@solutions2000.ne | ||
* Women's Studies | * [https://www.facebook.com/WADNetwork/ Women's Agro-Processors Development Network (WADN)]: "The Women's Agro-Processors Development Network is a network of small-scale agro-processing groups based in rural and indigenous communities in Guyana." Phone: +592 674 7422. Email: wadnetwork@hotmail.com | ||
* [http://www.uog.edu.gy/srms/departments/250/programmes Institute for Gender Studies - University of Guyana]: Address: The University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, Greater Georgetown, Guyana. Phone: +(592)-222-5423, +(592)-222-5122. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||